Description
Luke 10:38-42
Martha opened up her home to Jesus where she lived with her sister, Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened as he spoke. This caused frustration for Martha who was doing all of the prep work herself. But Jesus honored Mary for sitting at his feet highlighting the importance of being with Jesus and listening to him. When was the last time you spent time with Jesus?
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Time of Praise and Worship
Who You Say I Am
Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan, © 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Reckless Love
Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson, © 2017 Watershed Publishing Group (Admin. by Watershed Music Group) Bethel Music Publishing, Richmond Park Publishing
Good Good Father
Anthony Brown/Pat Barrett, © 2014 Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Common Hymnal Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Housefires Sounds (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Tony Brown Publishing Designee (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens
LSB 589; LW 339
Thy Strong Word
EH 381; ELW 511; LBW 233; LSB 578; LW 328
How Firm A Foundation
BH 75 383;BH 91 338; CH 408; CHH 618; EH 636,637; ELW 796; HWC 275; HPW 38; HFG 32; HLC 224; HGP 162; HSP 121; LWB 507; LSB 728; LW 411; NCH 407; PH 361; RH 221; STTL 689; WC 612; UMH 529; WAR 411; WHM 342; WIS 1
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Oh to be in the presence of the Lord! When we are with Jesus, there is nothing else that truly matters. The cares of the world begin to fade and His face brightens up our lives. He breathes life into our souls, making us come alive again!
Worshipers
Oh to be in His glorious presence- what a treasure it is.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus, You are our guest of honor and You are always welcome in this place and in our lives. We want to learn to be with You, spend time with You, and have a real, meaningful relationship with You. Teach us Your ways, and may we learn from people like Mary, who patiently sat at Your feet and listened to Your every word. Still our hearts and minds now, and may we bring You worship and glory and honor today.
Worshipers
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Congregation, life can be so busy, and we can feel so empty. Let’s go before the Lord in sincere confession, and allow Him to cleanse us, to heal us, and to renew our minds.
Worshipers
We confess that we are often too busy for You, Jesus. We prioritize the temporarily important things above You. We skip out on reading Scripture and fill our minds with empty nothings or gripping worry. We don’t take a breath to pray for anyone, and we often put ourselves first. Forgive us, Jesus. We are so sorry.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let us not follow Martha in her busyness and worrisome habits. Let us follow the example of Mary and sit at the Lord’s feet.
Worshipers
Lord, renew our hearts and minds and bring our thoughts into alignment with Your commandments. Give us new eyes that are like Yours so that we can see what is most important. Help us to slow down and spend time with You- for You are the only one worth living for. Holy Spirit, do these things in us even now, we pray, amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Genesis 18:1-10a
Abraham had a supernatural encounter with God that would forever change his life. He and his wife would have a son in their old age. Upon hearing this, Sarah responded in laughter.
The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” 6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” 7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. 9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. 10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” 13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
